All About Gemstones Blog
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Gem Clarity Types Explained
When you start learning about gemstones, you may come across guides that describe certain gem species as Type I, Type II, or Type III. This is not a quirk of the guide, it is a reflection of something called gem clarity types, a classification system developed by the Gemological Institute of America, or GIA. The system helps buyers and gem…
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November’s Birthstone: Citrine
November is one of the coziest months on the calendar, all crisp air, golden light, and the last warmth before winter properly settles in. Its birthstone suits it perfectly. Topaz may be November’s original stone, but citrine more than holds its own as a companion gem, a stone of warmth, optimism, and solar energy with a colour range that mirrors…
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The Symbolic & Spiritual Meanings of Turquoise
Turquoise, with its striking range of sky blues and blue-greens, is one of the most widely revered gemstones in human history. Worn by ancient Egyptians, carried by Native American medicine men, and prized by Tibetan monks, it has accumulated a rich and layered set of spiritual associations across thousands of years and countless cultures. Today it is valued as a…
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Imperial Topaz vs. Citrine: A Gemstone Comparison
Imperial topaz and citrine share a warm, golden palette that has caused confusion between them for centuries. Both stones glow with amber and honey tones, and when cut and set they can look strikingly similar side by side. The confusion has been compounded by misleading trade names. Citrine has been sold as topaz quartz or Madeira topaz, despite containing no…
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Why Are Some Gemstones So Much More Expensive Than Others?
If you’ve ever looked at two stones that seem similar and wondered why one costs a small fortune while the other is cheap as chips, you’re in good company. Gemstone pricing can feel mysterious from the outside, but once you understand what’s actually driving value, it all starts to make a lot more sense. Here’s a breakdown of the main…
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October’s Birthstone: Tourmaline
October is a generous month when it comes to birthstones. While opal rightly takes the spotlight as the primary stone, October also claims tourmaline as its second gem, and what a gem it is. If opal is October’s showstopper, tourmaline is its chameleon. A stone of extraordinary colour range, remarkable optical properties, and a history that spans cultures and centuries.…
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A Jeweller’s Guide to Turquoise
Turquoise has been interesting humans for thousands of years, and it is easy to see why. That distinctive blue that ranges in tone from a vivid sky blue to softer, greener tones flecked with earthy matrix, carries a warmth and depth that no other gem quite replicates. It’s one of the most recognisable gemstones in the world. Basic Identification Information…
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Fire Opal vs. Orange Sapphire: A Gemstone Comparison
Fire opal and orange sapphire share a warm, fiery palette, but in most cases they’re easy enough to tell apart at a glance. When fire opal displays its characteristic play-of-colour there’s no real room for confusion. But it’s common quiet for fire opal to not have those extra flashes of colour. That’s why in this guide I’m focusing on the…
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How to Spot Misleading Gemstone Listings
Buying gemstones online opens up a whole world of stones you’d never come across locally, and that’s genuinely exciting. But it does come with risks. Not every seller is reliable, and a misleading listing can leave you disappointed and out of pocket. That’s why being able to spot misleading gemstone listings is so important. Whether you’re sourcing stones to set…
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Morganite Myths and Legends
Morganite has a softness that feels as though it should come with centuries of romantic stories attached. Its blush pink colour seems made for myth, and yet it’s one of the youngest named gemstones in the world. It has no ancient legends, no place in medieval lapidaries, no role in the rituals of antiquity. Its story begins not in the…